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Central nervous system drugs

Cocaine

Also known as Benzoylmethylecgonine, Neurocaine, L-Cocaine

CAS 50-36-2Formula C17H21NO4Molar mass 303.36 g/molEC 200-032-7
GHS signal word: Danger. Pictograms: Acute toxicity (severe), Harmful or irritant Prohibited, not for trade Drug substance
Why it is not for trade
Cocaine chemical structure, C17H21NO4, CAS 50-36-2
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Colorless to white crystals or white powder
Melting point
98 °C
Boiling point
187 °C
Solubility
Crystals, MP 58-63 °C, freely sol in water or alcohol, slightly sol in ether. /Cocaine n…
HS code
293972
Category
Central nervous system drugs

What is Cocaine?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Cocaine is a tropane alkaloid obtained from leaves of the South American shrub Erythroxylon coca. It has a role as a central nervous system stimulant, a sympathomimetic agent, an adrenergic uptake inhibitor, a xenobiotic, a local anaesthetic, a sodium channel blocker, a vasoconstrictor agent, a serotonin uptake inhibitor, a dopamine uptake inhibitor, a mouse metabolite, a plant metabolite and an environmental contaminant. It is a methyl ester, a benzoate ester, a tropane alkaloid and a tertiary amino compound. It is a conjugate base of a cocaine(1+).

Cocaine is a tropane alkaloid and stimulant drug.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
methyl (1R,2R,3S,5S)-3-benzoyloxy-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-2-carboxylate
CAS number
50-36-2 CAS number cross-checked
EC number
200-032-7
Molecular formula
C17H21NO4
UNII
I5Y540LHVR
InChIKey
ZPUCINDJVBIVPJ-LJISPDSOSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C17H21NO4/c1-18-12-8-9-13(18)15(17(20)21-2)14(10-12)22-16(19)11-6-4-3-5-7-11/h3-7,12-15H,8-10H2,1-2H3/t12-,13+,14-,15+/m0/s1
Canonical SMILES
COC(=O)C1C(OC(=O)c2ccccc2)CC2CCC1N2C
Isomeric SMILES
CN1[C@H]2CC[C@@H]1[C@H]([C@H](C2)OC(=O)C3=CC=CC=C3)C(=O)OC

Synonyms

  • Benzoylmethylecgonine
  • Neurocaine
  • L-Cocaine
  • Kokain
  • Cocain
  • (-)-Cocaine
  • Cocaina
  • beta-Cocain
  • Methyl Benzoylecgonine
  • cocainum
  • Eritroxilina
  • Erytroxylin
  • Bernies
  • Kokayeen
  • Burese
  • Corine
  • Kokan
  • Dama blanca
  • l-Cocain
  • Pimp's drug
  • White girl or lady
  • Snow
  • Nose candy
  • Girl [Street Name]
  • Rock [Street Name]
Show all 38 synonyms
  • Toot [Street Name]
  • Flake [Street Name]
  • (r)-(-)-cocaine
  • Ecgonine, methyl ester, benzoate (ester)
  • Gold dust [Street Name]
  • 2-beta-Carbomethoxy-3-beta-benzoxytropane
  • Happy dust [Street Name]
  • 2beta-Carbomethoxy-3beta-benzoxytropane
  • 3-Tropanylbenzoate-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester
  • (1R,2R,3S,5S)-2-Methoxycarbonyltropan-3-yl benzoate
  • Star dust [Street Name]
  • Green gold [Street Name]
  • Happy trails [Street Name]

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Colorless to white crystals or white powderexp.
Melting point
98 °Cexp.
Boiling point
187 °Cexp.
Solubility
Crystals, MP 58-63 °C, freely sol in water or alcohol, slightly sol in ether. /Cocaine nitrate dihydrate/exp.
Vapour pressure
1.91 × 10⁻⁷ mm Hg at 25 °Cexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
303.36 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
303.1471 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
1.87calc.
Topological polar surface area
55.84 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
0calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
5calc.
Rotatable bonds
3calc.
Heavy atoms
22calc.
Rings
3calc.
Aromatic rings
1calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.53calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
4calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Murcko scaffold

The ring system that remains when every side chain is removed

Murcko scaffold of this chemical, O=C(OC1CC2CCC(C1)N2)c1ccccc1

O=C(OC1CC2CCC(C1)N2)c1ccccc1

3 rings, 17 atoms.

125 other chemicals share this scaffold

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Danger
GHS06: Acute toxicity (severe)
Acute toxicity (severe)
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Harmful or irritant

Hazard statements

  • H301Toxic if swallowed.
  • H311Toxic in contact with skin.
  • H317May cause an allergic skin reaction.
  • H331Toxic if inhaled.
Precautionary statements (19)
  • P261Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P262Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
  • P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P270Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
  • P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • P272Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P301 + P316If swallowed: Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P302 + P352If on skin: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P316Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • P330Rinse mouth.
  • P333 + P317If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical help.
  • P361 + P364Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
  • P362 + P364Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
  • P403 + P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
  • P405Store locked up.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

Cocaine suppliers

Trading restrictions apply to this substance

Narcotic drug

Cocaine is prohibited on CompoundList. Listings, quotes and messages are disabled. This page is kept for information only.

Listing and enquiries are not allowed for this substance.

Reference: UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961, HS 2022 subheading 2939.72 (cocaine and ecgonine)

Our policy on controlled substances

Cocaine price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

Prices are not shown for prohibited substances.

Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

Cocaine (DEA Code Number: 9041) is a Schedule II controlled substance.

Schedule II Controlled Substance: (A) The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse, (B) The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions, and (C) Abuse of the drug or other substances may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

Anesthetics, Local, Vasoconstrictor Agents, Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors.

Use classes: Pharmaceuticals.

Pharmacological actions

  • Anesthetics, Local
  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents

Roles

  • adrenergic agent
  • adrenergic uptake inhibitor
  • anaesthetic
  • biophysical role
  • cardiovascular drug
  • central nervous system drug
  • central nervous system stimulant
  • dopamine uptake inhibitor
  • dopaminergic agent
  • environmental contaminant
  • eukaryotic metabolite
  • local anaesthetic
  • membrane transport modulator
  • metabolite
  • mouse metabolite
  • neurotransmitter agent
  • pharmaceutical
  • plant metabolite
  • serotonergic drug
  • serotonin uptake inhibitor
  • sodium channel blocker
  • sympathomimetic agent
  • vasoconstrictor agent
  • xenobiotic

Functional uses

  • Pharmaceutical

Pharmacology

Cocaine is a tropane alkaloid with central nervous systems (CNS) stimulating and local anesthetic activity. Cocaine binds to the dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine transport proteins and inhibits the re-uptake of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine into pre-synaptic neurons. This leads to an accumulation of the respective neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft and may result in increased postsynaptic receptor activation. The mechanism of action through which cocaine exerts its local anesthetic effects is by binding to and blocking the voltage-gated sodium channels in the neuronal cell membrane. By stabilizing neuronal membranes, cocaine inhibits the initiation and conduction of nerve impulses and produces a reversible loss of sensation.

How it is made

Crack is manufactured from cocaine hydrochloride by one of two main methods: either microwaving a wet mixture with sodium bicarbonate or by adding alkali to a hot saturated solution of cocaine and allowing the denser base to settle and solidify.

Free base is made by dissolving cocaine salt in an aqueous alkaline solution and then extracting the free base form with a solvent such as ether.

Dried coca leaves contain up to 1% cocaine. They are processed into cocaine hydrochloride in clandestine laboratories.

Read more

The leaves are moistened with lime water or other alkali and extracted with kerosene (paraffin). The dissolved cocaine is extracted from the kerosene with sulfuric acid to produce an aqueous solution of cocaine sulfate. This solution is neutralised with lime, causing cocaine base (coca paste) to precipitate. Coca paste is redissolved in sulfuric acid and potassium permanganate is added to destroy cinnamoylcocaine and other impurities. The filtered solution is again treated with alkali to precipitate the free base, which is dissolved in acetone or other solvents. Concentrated hydrochloric acid is added to the solution, causing cocaine hydrochloride to settle out as a solid residue.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Narcotic drug

Cocaine is prohibited on CompoundList. Listings, quotes and messages are disabled. This page is kept for information only.

Listing and enquiries are not allowed for this substance.

Reference: UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961, HS 2022 subheading 2939.72 (cocaine and ecgonine)

Our policy on controlled substances

Health and food

  • Active ingredient in FDA approved drug labels

Controls

  • Controlled narcotic drug

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Cocaine is traded under.

HS 2939.72Exact HS code

Cocaine, ecgonine, salts, esters and other derivatives thereof

World exports in 2024
$3.38M
−21.9% vs 2023, imports $2.73M
2022 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. United Kingdom66.0%
  2. Germany13.9%
  3. United States6.8%
Top importers
  1. Netherlands27.7%
  2. Australia15.1%
  3. Poland12.7%
Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Cocaine is indicative (it was matched by name in the HS nomenclature). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Cocaine, based on the data on this page

What is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a tropane alkaloid obtained from leaves of the South American shrub Erythroxylon coca.

What is the CAS number of Cocaine?

The CAS registry number of Cocaine is 50-36-2.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Cocaine?

The molecular formula of Cocaine is C17H21NO4 and its molar mass is 303.36 g/mol.

What is Cocaine used for?

Cocaine (DEA Code Number: 9041) is a Schedule II controlled substance. Schedule II Controlled Substance: (A) The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse, (B) The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe…

Is Cocaine hazardous?

Cocaine carries the GHS signal word "Danger". Main hazards: toxic if swallowed, toxic in contact with skin, may cause an allergic skin reaction. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Cocaine?

Cocaine is usually classified under HS code 293972 (Cocaine, ecgonine, salts, esters and other derivatives thereof). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Can I buy Cocaine on CompoundList?

No. Cocaine is on our prohibited list, so listings, quotes and messages for it are disabled. This page is kept for information only.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Cocaine

Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page

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